Gearing your career for success!
With the ever-increasing competition in the Australian legal market, from local university graduates (numbering almost 15000 each year) to the growing number of overseas graduates and experienced lawyers who enter our market each year, it’s no longer enough to graduate from University with a Law Degree (even one with Honours) and expect to just land a top job, let alone end up at the top of the tree in years to come! Planning is the only way you will be able to gear your career for success – strategising and structuring your career, right from the outset!
What do I mean by that? Well… Structuring your career means assessing the career paths and roles available to you and working out which is the best for you. Whereas Career Strategy is working out how to actually go about achieving your career goals.
You need to objectively assess your qualifications, experience, skills and strengths, (as well as any areas of improvement), in relation to the role you are striving for. You must either be or can become the ‘ideal candidate’ that an employer is looking for. Sounds easy? Sadly, there are often many lawyers who want to move to a top tier law firm, in-house or overseas but are unable to do so because they do not have the right type or level of experience, skills or background.
Having an understanding of the career paths available to you, knowing yourself and where you would like your career to take you as well as any expectations you have from your future employer will ensure you pick the most suitable career path. This must be more than simply what you think is best for your career. You must choose a role or path that will be something you will enjoy and importantly, something that is achievable having your current experience and background in mind.
Once you have established your career goal, you can then strategize and structure your career accordingly.
Other factors to consider include your specialisation – it is important to note that lawyers are pigeonholed very quickly and its sometimes very difficult to transfer from one area of law to another. The more specialised you are, the more difficult it is to move into something else. That is why career strategy and structuring are important – working out what specialisation you enjoy and working towards it.
Role tenure is another important consideration, it is possible to stay too long in a role or certainly, not long enough. There’s no set rule here but generally, you should try to stay in a role for at least 2-3 years. This ensures you have enough time to learn the ropes, know the company, understand the role, build your profile and excel. This is what will enhance your marketability. If there is no opportunity for growth then it’s probably time to explore your options.
If you would like us to assist you to structure your career for success then please get in touch with our Career Coaching Consultants at coaching@jlegal.com.au
© JLegal Pty Ltd 2020